The Marsascala plant

The news of the recent huge explosion that blasted one of BP's refineries in Texas City claiming at least four victims is food for thought to the residents of Marsascala and the neighbouring towns. Such an incident makes one reflect on the danger that will loom over us if our Prime Minister does not take heed of the residents' pleas to shift the building of the new recycling plant to an alternative site.

Alfred Vella emphasised in his report the hazards that emanate from the build up of biochemical gas this new plant will produce. Considering such danger one must emphasise that the plant is just 139 metres away from the first dwelling of this beautiful, seaside fishing village.

The comments passed recently by Lawrence Gonzi, who was speaking in favour of the new recycling plant claiming he happens to live just opposite, are no comfort to the multitude of residents signing the petition against the development of the recycling plant.

WasteServ Malta Ltd, the company entrusted to push forward the propaganda, is not doing justice by spending public money to deliver to every household in Marsascala colourful leaflets full of misinformation.

The use of technical ambiguous jargon like upgrading and modernisation at Sant'Antnin recycling plant is misleading when everyone knows that WasteServ's application at Mepa states categorically: "The demolition of the existing plant and replacing it by four new plants in one structure reaching 11 metres in height".

To crown it all, Environment Minister George Pullicino could not guarantee that the new recycling plant will be odour free at the boundaries.

Bearing all this in mind, the residents of Marsascala, Zejtun and Zabbar should only hold Mepa's representatives responsible if wrong decisions are made that would disrupt and jeopardise their existence.